Newspaper Prayers: Monday, July 24th

Americans are clamoring for bold changes to our politics and our economy. They feel, rightfully, that both systems are rigged against them, and they made that clear in last year’s election. American families deserve a better deal so that this country works for everyone again, not just the elites and special interests. Today, Democrats will start presenting that better deal to the American people.

There used to be a basic bargain in this country that if you worked hard and played by the rules, you could own a home, afford a car, put your kids through college and take a modest vacation every year while putting enough away for a comfortable retirement. In the second half of the 20th century, millions of Americans achieved this solid middle-class lifestyle. I should know — I grew up in that America.

But things have changed.

Today’s working Americans and the young are justified in having greater doubts about the future than any generation since the Depression. Americans believe they’re getting a raw deal from both the economic and political systems in our country. And they are right. The wealthiest special interests can spend an unlimited, undisclosed amount of money to influence elections and protect their special deals in Washington. As a result, our system favors short-term gains for shareholders instead of long-term benefits for workers.

And for far too long, government has gone along, tilting the economic playing field in favor of the wealthy and powerful while putting new burdens on the backs of hard-working Americans.

We are in the minority in both houses of Congress; we cannot promise anyone that this Congress will begin passing our priorities tomorrow. But we have to start raising our voices to present our vision for the country’s future. We will seek the support of any Republicans willing to work with us, but more important, we must start rallying the American people to support our ideas.

Readings from the Sermon on the Mount for Monday, July 24, 2017

Matthew 5.8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Søren Kierkegaard (1813 – 1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author. In one of his books, he defined the pure in heart as people whose will is focused on one thing – loving God. Rufus Moseley (see other blog articles) willed to be united with God and to give love and only love every day. Moseley demonstrated the truth of this promise from Jesus. He enjoyed a very conscious personal relationship with God.

Instead of pursuing so many issues that divide our inside condition, why don’t we join the great men and women of the earth who have made it their supreme desire to love God with their whole being? Why not give this way of living an opportunity to affect our lives, beginning today?